WRITING
Short stories, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Adult
Published articles on writing, education, queer issues
Current writing projects
FICTION
Middle Grade short story
Published on storyberries.com
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“We’re going to stop feeding you,” Mum said.
“I understand,” I replied.
"Don’t worry, Harry. These things don’t last too long," said Dad.
Middle Grade short story
Published on storyberries.com
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Grandma’s reaction is sharply focussed and etched permanently in my memory. Only a beat after he had scampered past, she swivelled round, her whiskered face contorted as if she had taken the deepest suck on the tartest of lemons, and with the venom of a thousand vipers squeaked two words. “He’s unlucky”.
Adult short story
Published in Lockdown Number One - a collection of twenty winning short stories published by AudioArcadia
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The sameness was transforming him into an automaton. He had performed the morning walk to the station so often, it had become an unconscious act. It wasn’t until he was standing on the platform, staring blindly at the tracks, that he became aware.
Young Adult short story
Short-listed for the Chalk Circle Short Story Competition
Long-listed for the 2020 Alice Sinclair Writing Competition
Published in the Newcastle Short Story Award 2021 Anthology
Published in Voyage YA Literary Journal
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The night of the fall was especially steamy. Program sales were high, the audience fanned their clammy skin with them. One of my jobs was to sell them out front before the show. It was a rare chance to interact with non-circus folk.
Young Adult horror short story
Short-listed for Wakefield Press' Hometown Haunts Short Story Anthology Competition
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The bus ride into school used to be boring, before Riley. Zones for Mirani High got readjusted and so did the bus routes. Ours made a detour, picking up kids from properties up Kuttabul way. Before this, I’d stare out the window, barely conscious of the endless fields of sugarcane blurrily passing by. That changed when Riley McGrath boarded the bus.
Young Adult fantasy short story
Short-listed for Fellowship of Australian Writers' Marjorie Barnard Short Story Award
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Why was I arguing? Whatever Kai suggested, I did it. I couldn’t help it; I was under his spell. Had been since I could remember. Wasn’t supposed to be like that, but that’s how it was. He could’ve told me to jump off a cliff and I’d do it. Hang on. That’s exactly what he was doing.
MIDDLE OF THE VENN
Article
Published by Writer's Victoria in The Victorian Writer, 'Recovery' Issue
Also published by Australian Education Union in AEUNews Magazine, Term 4 2020
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As a full-time teacher and a rest-of-the-time writer, I’m continually searching for ways to find a healthy balance between the two. And usually, I’m bemoaning the fact that the scales are more heavily weighted toward the side that pays the bills. Now though, boundaries between the two are more fuzzy than usual, and writing has become a fuller-than-full-time occupation.
Article
Published by Archer Magazine
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My wish is for my school, and all schools, to come out of the closet. We should celebrate our support of the LGBT community, to make it visible and unconditional, just as we strive to be inclusive of other vulnerable groups.
NON-FICTION
RED ROCKET
Work in progress. Stay tuned...
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YA sci-fi adventure
Short-listed for Penguin Random House Write It Fellowship 2021
Short-listed for the Wells Literary Festival 2020 Book for Children Award
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He passed his hand across the screen for what felt like the millionth time. Each job seemed as miserable as the previous; ticket scanners, carpet sweepers, Bingo callers. A horde of minions was required to keep this galaxy-side resort city running.
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He’d traipsed the galaxy to get here. Stowed-away in the bowels of countless freighters, escaped countless run-ins and made countless sacrifices small and big, chasing down that sparkly destiny this place held for him. Yet here he was, searching for a ticket to allow him into the city’s far-less than glamorous side.
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Circus runaway Moz, has stowed his way across the galaxy with one aim – fame and fortune. But, for the sake of the galaxy, a team of fellow orphans with ‘special’ skills and a hidden spacecraft must convince him to accept a different destiny.